China calls purge of N. Korean leader's uncle 'internal affair'

BEIJING, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- China said Monday that the purge of the powerful uncle of North Korea's leader is the North's "internal affair," voicing hope that Beijing could continue to develop friendly relations with Pyongyang.

North Korea confirmed earlier in the day that Jang Song-thaek, considered the second most powerful official after the North's young leader Kim Jong-un, was dismissed from office, accusing him of building a "counter-revolutionary faction" and other "criminal acts" including womanizing.